Research
Heligmosomoides polygyrus (left), small intestine of the mouse infected with H. polygyrus (right)
Image Credit: F. Ebner, Institut für Immunologie, Freie Universität Berlin
Ascaris suum (left), Trichuris suis (right)
Image Credit: F. Ebner, Institut für Immunologie, Freie Universität Berlin
General Information
The scientific focus of the Institute for Immunology are infections with parasitic helminths (figure). Of particular interest to our work are the different mechanisms leading to the persistence of parasite infections in immunocompetent hosts. The long-term goal of our group is to develop intervention strategies against nematode infections in humans and animals. In addition, we are interested in immune evasion mechanisms of parasitic nematodes, which might be of use in interfering with undesired inflammatory processes such as auto-immune reactions and allergies.
Research focus areas of the Institute of Prof. Dr. Susanne Hartmann
1. Modulation of the innate and adaptive immune system by nematodes
- Regulatory macrophages in nematode infections
- Regulatory eosinophilic granulocytes in nematode infections
- Th2/1 hybrid cells in nematode-infected patients and mice
- Th2 memory response
2. Therapeutic potential of nematodes
3. Interaction of nematodes with coinfections
- Reciprocal effects of a Th2-inducing endo- versus ecto-parasite infection
- Toxoplasma-nematode coinfection: redirecting the immune response
4. Nematodes and host microbiota
5. Immunological tools